Foreign Secretary Philip
Hammond said, “I welcome the agreement by all parties to
extend the humanitarian ceasefire and to work towards a lasting
ceasefire in Gaza, with Egyptian mediation.”

An Egypt-brokered renewal of the truce was agreed on Wednesday by
rival Israeli and Palestinian forces, which is an extension of
the temporary 72-hour ceasefire. The renewed ceasefire will allow
both sides to continue to negotiate a substantive deal to end the
35-day war in Gaza.

Hammond said he had called Egypt's foreign minister, Sameh
Shukri, to congratulate him on the deal. Hammond previously has
emphasized that every effort should be made to prevent further
civilian casualties.

“It is vital that Hamas and other militant groups end rocket
fire and that the Palestinian Authority resumes control of
Gaza,” he said. “And Israel should ease its restrictions
in order to allow ordinary Palestinians to go about their
business and the Gazan economy to grow.”

Hammond expressed hope that the extension of negotiations will
provide respite from the violence for “the beleaguered people
of Gaza and an opportunity for aid agencies and others to address
the dire humanitarian situation there."

Hammond called the current negotiations “not easy.” He
added, “But there is no other viable option than a
comprehensive negotiated solution that will allow both Israeli
and Palestinian families to live without fear of further
violence.”

Hamas is demanding an end to Israeli and Egyptian blockades of
the Gaza Strip and the opening of a seaport in the enclave.

Hammond's comments come after the UK government announced on
Tuesday that it would suspend 12 licenses for British companies
to sell arms to Israel if fresh hostilities break out in Gaza.

Minutes before the previous 72-hour ceasefire was set to expire,
five rockets fired from the Gaza Strip struck southern Israel
without causing any casualties, according to Israeli officials.

The current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas follows nearly a
month of fighting. UN estimates said 1,948 Palestinians –
including 1,402 civilians – and 66 Israelis have been killed
since Israel launched Operation Protective Edge on 8th July.